title: Initial management of patients with acute heart failure.
abstract: Pressure exists to manage patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) efficiently in the acute-care environment. Although most patients present with worsening of chronic heart failure, some may present with undifferentiated dyspnea and new-onset heart failure. Others have significant comorbidities that complicate both the diagnosis and treatment. The treatment of patients with ADHF is prioritized based on vital signs and presenting phenotype. The risk stratification of patients is the subject of ongoing evaluation. The disposition of patients to areas other than a monitored inpatient bed, such as an emergency department-based observation unit, may prove effective.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, ML 0769, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA. gregory.fermann@uc.edu
authors.forename: Gregory J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Fermann
authors.forename: Sean P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D003935:Diagnostic Techniques, Cardiovascular / Q000639:trends*; D019468:Disease Management; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans